Display means for cartons,folders and the like



J. OLIVER 3,440,747

FOLDERS AND THE LIKE April 29, 1969 DISPLAY MEANS FOR CARTONS,

Filed Dec. 23. 196.

INVENTOR. John 0U r Wdfiorng United States Patent 3,440,747 DISPLAYMEANS FOR CARTONS, FOLDERS AND THE LIKE John Oliver, 32-28 29th St.,Long Island City,

N.Y. 11106 1 Filed Dec. 23, 1966, Ser. No. 604,384 Int. Cl. G09f 19/00,3/00; A63h 33/00 US. Cl. 40-126 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A carton,folder or the like having two or more connected panels, one of which isprovided with a' plurality of pictorial elements or cut-outs which" areperipherally scored or weekended so that they can be pushed out orseparated from the body of the panel. A second panel, and preferablyformed integrally with the first panel, is arranged to form asubstantially flat supporting base or platform for the pictorialcut-outs after they are detached from the first panel, the cut-outsbeing edgewisely inserted in slits provided in the second panel-so thatsuch cut-outs will be vertically upstanding from the slitted panel whenthe latter panel is rested on a supporting surface.

This invention relates to cartons, folders and the like and moreparticularly to an article of this kind by which interesting andattractive pictorial effects can be secured by the utilization ofcertain parts of the carton or folder when such parts are interfitted ina certain relation to one another.

It is an object of the invention to provide an article of this characterwhich can serve the useful purpose of a carton, folder or the like whilealso serving as a carrier of pictorial material which can be utilized tosecure amusing, interesting and attractive effects.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein an illustrative embodiment of theinvention is disclosed,

FIG. 1 is a face view of the carton made according to the invention, inits flattened condition;

FIG. 2 is a view of the opposite face of the carton, on a reduced scale;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the carton in its set-up condition and withthe pictorial elements or cut-outs in position;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the set-up display shownin FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a folder or greeting card, for example,embodying the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a detail view, showing how one of the panels is folded to formit into a supporting base or platform for the cut-outs.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown therein, and particularly inFIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive, a relatively fiat or shallow cardboard box orcarton, generally indicated at 10. The same is provided with a facepanel 11, a second face panel 12 and side panels or walls 13 and 14. Theends of the carton are provided with closure flaps 15, 16. The elementsof the carton thus far mentioned are of known construction.

The face panel 11 is provided with a plurality of removable pictorialelements referred to herein ascutouts, those illustrated being indicatedrespectively at 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21. Each of these pictorial elementsor cut-outs is peripherally formed with a weakened outline 22 so thatthe element can be readily detached or separated from the body of thepanel by being forced out of the same on its weakened outline.

The pictorial elements disclosed are shown as being in the form of birdsand domestic animals, but it will be apparent that the same may assumemany other forms,

4 Claims such as for example, human beings, vehicles, trees, foliage andinnumerable other articles according to the pictorial effect desired.Each of the pictorial elements or so-called out-outs is provided at thebottom with a tab 23.

The carton body is preferably, but not necessarily of one-piececonstruction, and the same includes the second panel 12. Said panel 12is formed with a plurality of spaced slits 24. These slits may bearranged in certain selected positions in order to secure desiredpictorial effects. The panel 12 can also, ifdesired, be provided with afold-up pictorial element 25 which can be partly separated from the bodyof the panel along the edge 26 and bent upwardly on a fold line 27 toassume an erect or vertical position, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

From the foregoing, the uses and advantages of the described carton willbe apparent. The carton can be used to contain articles of merchandiseto be handled and sold in any conventional manner. The pictorialmaterial borne by the facial panels 11 and 12 may, if desired, be in theform of advertising matter, or can otherwise relate to the goodscontained in the carton, or it may relate to wholly disassociatedsubject matter and be provided solely for the interest and amusement ofthe consumer of the goods, particularly for children.

When the carton is emptied of its contents, it may then be used as adisplay device by separating the pictorial elements or cut-outs from thepanel 11 and inserting them edgewisely into the slits 24 in the panel12. The tabs 23 on the cut-outs are inserted through the slits 24 andthe pictorial elements or cut-outs will then assume a vertical orupstanding position, locating them at substantially right angles to thepanel 12 in which they are inserted. To secure certain pictorialeffects, the slits intended for the reception or certain cut-outs may beidentified by numerals or other identifying indicia. The cut-outs may besimilarly identified by numerals borne by the tabs 23.

The carton can be rested on a table or other supporting surface with thepanel 12 disposed uppermost and such panel will then surface as a baseor platform for the panorama provided on the top of the carton by thearrangement of the upstanding cut-outs in the then uppermost panel 12.

The upwardly-bent element 25, if used, can provide a background sceneryfor the inserted out-outs and can cooperate therewith in producing apanorama effect. The arrangement and disposition of the cut-outs in theslits may be varied according to the desires of the individual.

While I have thus far suggested the article as being in the form of acomplete carton, it can also be in the form of a carton sleeve or othercarton covering.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the invention can also be employed as shownat 30 to a folder, greeting card or the like. Therein, one of the panelsor leaves indicated at 31, is provided with cut-outs 32, as heretoforedescribed, while the second panel or leaf 33 has slits 34 for thereception of the cut-outs 32 after they are separated from the panel 31,which panel can then be detached from the panel 33 along a severanceline 35.

The panel 33 can then be formed into a supporting base or platform bybeing folded on the dotted lines 36, 37 and the tabs 38 engaged with thedownfolded strip portions 3 9. Tongues 40 on the tabs 38 engage theslits 41 to secure a locking effect to hold the panel in the form of asupporting base and from which the inserted cut-outs rise vertically ina manner similar to that dis closed in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The arrangement disclosed is such that many interesting and amusingdisplays can be provided in a manner which utilizes parts of the cartonor folder and which does not in any way interfere with or hamper thecartons use as a container for goods, nor does it prevent a folder, in

which the invention is incorporated, from being enclosed in an envelopeand mailed flatly.

The subject matter to be employed in an article of this kind is almostendless and it can provide hours of amusement, particularly forchildren. The integral formation of the cut-outs and the supporting baseor platform therefor enables the entire panoramic structure to beincorporated over a one-piece element. No tools are required for theseparation of the cut-outs, and the assemblage of the device merelyrequires the pushing out of the cut-outs from the panel in which theyare formed and their insertion edgewisely in the slits provided in thecompanion anel. p Having thus described embodiments of the invention, itis obvious that the same is not to be restricted thereto, but is broadenough to cover all structures coming within the scope of the annexedclaims.

What I claim is:

1. A pictorial display means for cartons, folders and the likecomprising, a unitary blank including a pair of hingedly connected facepanels, which are foldable and have sufiicient rigidity to form aself-supporting structure, one of the panels being provided with aplurality of pictorial elements including support tabs outlined in itand peripherally weakened to enable the elements to be forced out of thebody of the panel and completely separated therefrom, the other panelbeing provided with a plurality of slits in which the detached pictureelements can be edgewisely inserted so that said pictorial elements willbe vertically upstanding from the last-mentioned panel when the latterpanel is supported on a base.

2. A pictorial display means according to claim 1, wherein the panelsare hingedly connected together in the form of a folder, the slittedpanel having panels for interengagement to thereby form the said panelinto a raised base or platform for the reception of the pictorialelements in its slits.

3. A pictorial display means according to claim 1, wherein the panelsare hingedly connected on a line of separation, the slitted panel havingstrip portions at its edges, said strip portions being foldable toextend them at right angles to the body of the panel to form supportingfeet for the panel and to rest on a surface to hold said panelhorizontally with the cut-outs upwardly disposed from it.

4. A pictorial display means comprising, a unitary blank for a cartonbody having upper and lower panels, side panels connecting the same andend closure flaps, one of the panels being provided with pictureelements, said elements having support tabs and being separable byperipheral weakening from the body of the panel in which they areformed, the other panel having a plurality of slits into which thepicture elements are edgewisely inserted to maintain them in a verticalupstanding position in relation to the slitted panel when the carton isrested on a supporting surface with apertured panel facing downwardlyand the slitted panel disposed upwardly.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 560,094 5/1906 Gibson 28 X1,626,711 5/1927 Ackeret l26 1,682,594 8/1928 Benjamin 46ll 1,990,6712/1935 Redington 40l26 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD CARTER, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

